Around 88% women in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) have no knowledge of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) according to a Unicef survey. The ignorance rate is highest – a staggering 98.6% - in Frontier Region DI Khan, the survey further revealed.
The data was shared at an awareness seminar organised by the University of Peshawar (UoP), Fata health services and Unicef here at the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre on Friday.
Speaking at the seminar, Unicef Fata Programme Specialist Dr Muhammad Rafiq said most residents avoided HIV tests due to the stigma attached to it.
“We have started a pilot programme to impart basic training to 767 lady health workers of Mohmand, Kurram and Khyber Agencies… they will go door-to-door for awareness and will refer high-risk cases to the agency headquarters hospitals for screening,” he told the gathering.
Dr Rafiq said a total of 260 HIV positive patients from Fata were registered at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, which comprise 161 men, 76 women and 23 children.
Fata social sector secretary Aftab Durrani said the turmoil in the tribal areas had boosted the number of HIV positive people. He maintained that residents avoided tests, fearing death at the hands of the Taliban if they were found to be HIV positive. “Around 158 HIV positive patients disappeared in Malakand division in 2007-08 and returned after the area was cleared of militants,” Durrani informed the seminar.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ